On Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025, a bomb burst into the Formula 1 world: Christian Horner, the man who led Red Bull Racing for twenty years, was immediately fired as a team boss and CEO. The 51-year-old Brit, who has been in charge of the Austrian team since 2005, was held responsible for the disappointing performance of the 2025 season. Laurent Mekies, until recently team boss of sister team Racing Bulls, takes his place as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing. Shortly after the announcement Horner appeared for the press in Milton Keynes, while Max Verstappen, four -time world champion, gave his first reaction to the unexpected news. This marks the end of an era for Red Bull and raises questions about the future of the team and his star driver.

Horner’s departure comes after a tumultuous period. Under his leadership, Red Bull from a newcomer grew in 2005 to a dominant force, with six constructor titters and eight driver titles, including four in a row for Verstappen from 2021 to 2024. However, after a strong start in 2024, Red Bull was overtaken by McLaren and Ferrari, ending in the construction championship. In 2025, the RB21 car, under the leadership of technical director Pierre Waché, remained difficult to control, with only five podium places for Verstappen and lean results for teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Horner’s emphasis on simulator work above a new wind tunnel, which was only ready in 2026, was seen as a strategic misstep. Moreover, a power struggle within the team, especially between Horner and the Verstappen family, played a role. According to F1-Sinsider.com, Jos Verstappen, Max ’father, would have had a heated conversation with Horner after the British Grand Prix, which further fueled the tensions.

During a short press conference, Horner thanked the team and fans, without accepting the reasons of his resignation. “Twenty years is a long time, and I am proud of what we have achieved,” he said, according toDe Telegraaf. He wished Red Bull Success and hinted on future projects outside of Formula 1. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Red Bull’s business projects, praised Horner’s “tireless use and innovative thinking”, but emphasized that it was time for change. Laurent Mekies, the 48-year-old Frenchman who is now taking the lead, brings a wealth of experience. Mekies started his career at Minardi, worked as a racing engineer for Mark Webber and Christijan Albers, and played a key role at Ferrari as Racing Director. At the FIA ​​he introduced the Halo-Cockpit protection, a milestone in the safety of sport. His recent work at Racing Bulls, where he has been leading since 2024, gave him praise for his technical sharpness and leadership.

Max Verstappen, who is currently third in the championship with 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, responded cautiously. During an interview after the announcement, quoted byRacingNews365, he said: “Christian has meant a lot to this team, but we now have to move forward. I look forward to working with Laurent and seeing how we get the team to the top again.” Rumors about a possible switch to Mercedes, which would be willing to pay his lump sum payment of 102 million euros. Jos Verstappen’s open criticism of Horner and the team structure has fed these speculations, especially after a disappointing fifth place in Silverstone.

The Rescuffle at Red Bull also includes the promotion from Alan Permane to team boss of Racing Bulls, where he continues the work of Mekies. Permane, a veteran in sport, called the role “an honor” and promised to preserve the “incredible spirit” of the team. Mekies herself spoke praise for his time at Racing Bulls: “It was a privilege to build this team. Alan is the right man to continue.” For Red Bull Racing, Mekies faces a tough task: Getting the team from a sporty dip and retaining Verstappen’s confidence in a crucial year for the new regulations of 2026. While the Formula 1 world follows developments, Horner’s departure marks the end of a era and the start of an uncertain but exciting new phase for Red Bull Racing.